Andhra Pradesh: Staff shortage at drug control body

Visakhapatnam: Even two years after the bifurcation, things do not seem to be bright for the Andhra Pradesh Drug Control administration (APDCA).

The truncated Andhra Pradesh has only one laboratory in Vijayawada with limited capacity. It was learnt that the samples were piling up in the laboratory of Vijayawada for want of junior analysts and scientific officers as well as advanced infrastructure.

The dearth of officials was palpable at every level of the department, who play a vital role in enforcing the drug regulatory mechanism. With the growing drug-manufacturing units, drug retailers and blood banks, the absence of the regional laboratories is acutely felt in the state. The DCA’s long-pending plans to set up regional labs at Visakhapatnam and Kurnool also have not made any headway.

Recently, the state government has allocated about 0.8 acre land in Hanumanpet, Vijayawada, to construct the head office of the APDCA as well as a central drug control laboratory. But even going by the official statements, they would take another few years to become operational.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, APDCA director P. Nagabhusanam said they are clearing the samples on priority basis at the laboratory in Vijayawada without keeping them pending for months.

“There are plans to construct regional laboratories at Visakhapatnam and Kurnool to increase the annual sample size. Slowly, things have been coming on to the right track after bifurcation. We have sought the permission for filling up the vacant posts to boost the prospects of the department. In a welcome sign, the state government has recently allocated land for the head office as well as the central laboratory in Vijayawada,” Mr Nagabhusanam added.

According to official statistics, there are approximately 30,000 retail sales outlets, 250 manufacturing units and 180 blood banks and storage centres in Andhra Pradesh. But the APDCA has a capacity of 59 drug inspectors against the required 150 drug inspectors, which is overburdening the staff.

Besides the shortage of personnel, lack of regular training for them is another issue with the department. M.B.R. Prasad, joint-director, Visakhapatnam region, said the state drug authority has set an ambitious target of 10,000 samples per annum and is heading in that direction to strengthen its infrastructure as well as workforce.

“Currently there are about 10 drug inspectors, three assistant directors, one joint director and one deputy director to monitor the 5,000 medical shops, 19 blood banks and 65 manufacturing units in the North Coastal Andhra Pradesh districts,” Mr Prasad added.